Anyone who buys a new car aims to keep the vehicle in pristine condition—keeping it good as new means putting in the effort to make its appearance and performance as excellent as possible.
But many car owners still seem to neglect the critical steps to maximize the life of their vehicles. Conducting preventive car maintenance is a must. People primarily avoid performing preventive care because they don’t want to spend money. But the truth is it doesn’t cost that much, plus it’s incredibly beneficial in the long run. That being said, the question here is what exactly do you need to do to maintain your vehicle?
Before we answer that, keep in mind that you don’t need to do the following things yourself (although many owners out there might prefer to get their hands dirty). Many of these procedures need expertise, and you might need to hire a mechanic to do the methods.
Read Your Manual
One of the most important things you could ever do right after buying a car is to read the manual. It should always be inside the vehicle in case you need to know something. The owner’s manual contains all the information you will ever need, from the model of the car, make, safety features, repair, and everything else.
The manual will also contain the recommended fuel for the vehicle. It also answers many questions that might pop in your head, like if the tires are safe to use during snow and about voiding the warranty. And that’s why you need to familiarize yourself with it.
Always Check Tire Pressure
Checking tire pressure should be a daily habit. It is an underestimated procedure that most people neglect these days. Tires without proper pressure quickly wear down, thus, decreasing their lifespan. In addition, poor tire pressure also affects gas mileage.
Similarly, you also need to ensure that your tires aren’t overinflated. When tires are overinflated, they put you at risk of a blowout, which you wouldn’t want to experience, especially on the highway.
Change Oil Accordingly
It’s no secret that replacing car oil is a necessity. People often say that car owners need to change their oil at least every three months or 3000 miles, whichever comes first. But in reality, you don’t need to change your oil that often.
So how will you know if it’s time for a change-oil procedure? It will significantly vary on the make and model of your vehicle. As mentioned, you should find the answer in your car manual. Changing car oil is crucial as it affects your vehicle’s performance and power. It might not have the same effects as UPS for laboratory instruments, but it’s pretty much the same thing-maintenance for power!
Change Wipers
Car wipers also need replacement from time to time. While changing wipers isn’t as vital as others, doing so is a great way to keep your windshield streak-free. Once you notice that your wipers leave visible streaks across the windshield, it’s time to change. You might not realize it now, but malfunctioning wipers pose a threat to your safety.
Change the Engine Air Filter
Like changing oil, changing your engine oil filter is another factor that will depend on the manufacturer. Again, it’s in your manual. Cars often used on rough roads need frequent air filter changes because the dirt might get clogged up in the filter. If this is the case, speak to your mechanic about scheduled replacements.
Correct Your Bad Driving Habits
Taking care of your vehicle isn’t always technical. Sometimes, it all falls on how carefully you drive. If you want to prevent small and big damages here and there, you need to practice safe driving. Driving safely means slowing down on speed bumps and avoiding overspeeding.
Many cars these days tend to get easily worn down at higher speeds, and as time goes by, this causes the mechanics of the car to age earlier than anticipated.
Check Your Battery
The last thing you’ll need is a dead car battery while you’re lost in the middle of a highway. Avoid this thing from happening to you by testing your battery habitually. The good news is that many auto shops offer affordable battery testing services.
Testing your battery is ideal to ensure that your battery works perfectly fine. It will help you spot potential problems before they even arise so that you can replace your battery right away.
Cars don’t come cheap. It’s an essential tool that offers convenience and makes life easier for most people. So to make sure that you enjoy these benefits at a maximum, follow the preventive methods above to extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Study your car’s mechanics, read the manual, and familiarize yourself with its performance, so that you can quickly determine if something is wrong.
